Becoming Record-Keeping

I've gotten behind on writing blog posts again this past month. Life has been keeping me busy, but I do want to be sure and make note of all of the "Hayes Family Happenings."  : )

Ever since Eli was born, I realized just how important it is to keep a record.  I SO wish I had started a blog when David and I got married.  I would love to have fun little details of our beginning years written down in a special place to look back on and smile.  I do scrapbook, but that's mainly just the highlights of our life.  I keep a Word document running for Eli's journal.  I have it set up on a monthly basis, so during every month I can write down any milestones achieved, funny stories, habits, mannerisms, likes/dislikes, etc., and I can add things he says once he starts speaking more.  I love that I can just take a couple minutes here and there to add something, and that it's quick and on-going.  Hopefully I'll be able to keep it up for many years, and one day give it to him.  I think he (and I) will appreciate having a detailed record of what he was like.

Keeping a regular journal has never been a strong point of mine.  However, one of my sisters gave me a Gratitude Journal that she made for Christmas.  It's just a basic journal that's decorated, and on the cover is written "I Have an Attitude . . . of Gratitude!"  I made it a New Years Resolution of mine to keep up this journal and write down what I'm thankful for that day, every day.  I've missed some days here and there, but I always write some things down at least every couple days.  I don't write generic "thankfuls" such as "a warm bed" or "good friends," (although I'm thankful for both).  I write specific moments, events, behaviors, blessings, struggles, etc., as a way to look back and remember those times.

I know I always write a monthly update on Eli, but this time I wanted to share an update of David and I.  : )

• David is swept away in busy tax season time.  He's working 60 hrs/week until April.  We sure miss him when he's away!  In the evenings he chips away at studying for his next CPA exam, which he hopes to take in February.  Once things settle down in the spring, we're hoping to get a 2nd car!
• My mom came up to spend MLK Day with Eli and I (She lives 40 minutes away.) She's a teacher, so she had it as a holiday.  She took us out shopping at TJ Maxx/Home Goods, Target, and Pier One, and bought me some cute Valentine's Day towels and bowls, and also a couple new shirts for Eli and I!  We also met up with my dad for a yummy lunch at Paradise Bakery.  It was so fun to have her around, and I felt special getting quality time with my mom.
• I subbed the 10-11 yr. old Sunday School class at church for the past two months.  I'd never taught primary before, and it was definitely an interesting (but good overall) experience.  It's certainly quite different from teaching school!  For the most part the kids were knowledgeable about the scriptures, and they were very inquisitive.  
• David serves in the Young Men Presidency at church.  He attends Wednesday night activities where they do a lot of scouting, and also teaches the 14-15 year old boys on Sundays.
• I was called to be the 4th Sunday teacher of Relief Society, the women's instruction class for our church.  I teach lessons from talks given at our church's most recent General Conference.  I'm very excited about this calling, as it's one of my favorites!  I look forward to the time I'll put forth in my preparations, and for all of the insights and experiences I will gain.
• Every evening after Eli's in bed, the first thing David does is take out his nice dress shoes, put them on, and walk around the apartment.  : )  He spends a lot of time polishing them and making them look top-notch.  : )
• I started doing Zumba!  I know I look like the biggest dork, but luckily Eli doesn't judge me.  : )  It's definitely a good work-out, and it's much more fun than basic aerobics.
• David had a Saturday off, so we were able to attend the temple with his parents.  We don't get to go as often as we'd like, since it's 2 1/2 hours away and we have a little one, so it was a wonderful occasion!  I always love seeing people that I know when I'm there.  It makes it feel like what heaven will be like.
• I gave a talk in church on family scripture study/teaching your children the gospel.  I really enjoyed preparing it, and it really made me reflect and make some changes in our own home on how we live this principle.
• I love watching the new television series, Once Upon a Time, on hulu.com.  It's an intriguing show, without anything inappropriate (one of the only ones out there!).
• Since David and I both have big birthdays later this year (25 and 30), we've been contemplating taking a little trip to make it extra-special and celebratory.  Any suggestions?

Well, there you have it!  You are now fully updated on  2/3 of the Hayes family.  And I now have a record to look back on and delight in remembrance.  : )